The 2025 LGP Event Program is now underway. Last week, we traveled to Lismore for the first Network Meeting of the year. For a region that constantly battles natural disasters – including Cyclone Alfred just last month – it was great to see strong attendance, with over 30 council representatives from across the Northern Rivers joining us.
Next up, we’re heading to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo on Thursday, 1 May. This popular event brings procurement knowledge and experience to the region, with a unique twist – a safari for all during the lunch break. From there, we’ll be in Forbes (22 May), Batemans Bay (29 May), and Cessnock (19 June).
Speaking of councils dealing with natural disasters, last week, in partnership with Regional Development Australia – Sydney, we were interviewed about our brand-new Disaster Response Solution. You’ll find the article linked below, where we highlight procurement professionals as ‘rockstars’ – the key players who can bring speed and efficiency to crisis situations. This new solution strategically leverages a three-phase supplier engagement hierarchy, secures price certainty, and ensures there’s just one number to call when disaster strikes.
Click here to read the article. If your council is interested in participating, please reach out to your LGP Business Development Manager.
As we’ve communicated in recent newsletters, Release 4 of the LGP Capability Grant Program will open in late April. This grant is available to councils, ROCs, and JOs across NSW, with a 5-6 week window for submissions. Given the program’s popularity, we encourage councils to start considering initiatives they’d like funded – up to $25,000 – for procurement process improvements, professional development, technology upgrades, or resource development. Click here to find out more.
On a related note, but with a different focus, we’re preparing to launch the Innovation Development Fund. If you attended the 2024 LGP Annual Conference, you may recall Telstra sharing details about this exciting new initiative. We’re making final preparations to release the fund, which is designed to co-fund projects with councils that drive technology innovation, enhance digital capability, and advance digital transformation to create new value for communities.
If this sounds like something your council is interested in, please reach out to your LGP Business Development Manager.
Our new First Nations Procurement Scheme is also building momentum, bringing together NSW local government and First Nations businesses. We anticipate launching the scheme to all NSW councils via VendorPanel in late April 2025.
Already, 35 businesses have been successfully assessed and are ready to engage with 128 NSW councils. If you’re an Indigenous business that is Supply Nation ‘Certified’ or NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce ‘Assured,’ we encourage you to submit your Expression of Interest.
Finally, I will personally be attending the Supply Nation Indigenous Business Trade Fair in Dubbo next Wednesday, 9 April. If you’ll be there too, it would be great to connect and discuss what more we can do together in partnership.
Visit the Supply Nation Indigenous Business Trade Fair website for more information.
Thank you.